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ceCLOSED!

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Labor
Day in the United States is a holiday celebrated on the first Monday
in September. It is a celebration of the American labor movement and is de
dicated to the social and economic achievements of workers. It constitutes
a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the s
trength\, prosperity\, and well-being of our country.

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ceCLOSED!

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Labor
Day in the United States is a holiday celebrated on the first Monday
in September. It is a celebration of the American labor movement and is de
dicated to the social and economic achievements of workers. It constitutes
a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the s
trength\, prosperity\, and well-being of our country.

Veterans Day always falls on November 1
1\, but it may be observed on a different day due to the fact that it is a
federal holiday. When Woodrow Wilson declared November 11 a holiday\, the
primary intention was to have a day to reflect on the sacrifices of those
who had served in the military during World War I.\n\nToday\, many Americ
ans observe the day by attending ceremonies and parades that are dedicated
to honoring the troops for their service. These often allow veterans to s
peak about their time in the service and give Americans the opportunity to
personally thank veterans for their sacrifice.\n

On Decem
ber 31\, 1862 the first Watch Night Services were celebrated in Black comm
unities in America.\n\nThe Watch Nig
ht service can be traced back to gatherings also known as “Freedom’s Eve.”
On that night\, Black slaves and free blacks came together in churches an
d private homes all across the nation awaiting news that the Emancipation
Proclamation actually had become law. At the stroke of midnight\, it was
January 1\, 1863\; all slaves in the Confederate States were declared lega
lly free. When the news was received\, there were prayers\, shouts and son
gs of joy as many people fell to their knees and thanked God.\n\nBlacks have gathered in churches annually on
New Year’s Eve ever since\, praising God for bringing us safely through an
other year. It’s been over a century since the first Freedom’s Eve and tra
dition still brings us together at this time every year to celebrate “how
we got over.” This celebration takes many African American descendants of
slaves into a new year with praise and worship. The service usually begins
anywhere from 7PM to 10PM and ends at midnight with the entrance of the N
ew Year. Some people come to church first\, before going out to celebrate\
, for others\, church is the only New Year’s Eve event.\n\nThere have been instances where clergy in mainline
denominations questioned the propriety of linking religious services with
a secular holiday like New Year’s Eve. However\, there is a reason for the
importance of New Year’s Eve services in the Black experience in America.
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